Scoring Your Credit - How's Your FICO?

In today's increasingly automated society, it should come as no surprise that when you apply for a mortgage, your ability to pay can be reduced to a single number. All the years you've been paying your mortgage, car payments, and credit card bills can be analyzed, sliced, diced, spindled and mutilated into a single indicator of whether you're likely to meet your future obligations.

You need to know that the lenders, in the current market, rely more on your credit score to qualify you for a mortgage loan than they have in the past. Your credit score is very important.

All three of the major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) use a slightly different system to arrive at a score. The best known is called the FICO score, based on a model developed by Fair Isaac and Company (hence the name) and used by Experian. Equifax's model is called BEACON, while TransUnion uses EMPIRICA. While each of the models considers a range of data available in your credit report, the primary factors are:

Each of these, and other items, are assigned a value and a weight. The results are added up and distilled into a single number. FICO scores range from 300 to 800, with higher being better. Typical home buyers likely find their scores falling between 600 and 800.

FICO scores are used for more than just determining whether or not you qualify for a mortgage. Higher scores indicate you are a better credit risk, and thus may qualify for a better mortgage rate.

What can you do about your FICO score? Since the score is based on a lifetime of credit history, it is difficult to make a significant change in the number with quick fixes. On the other hand, a skilled and knowledgable Loan Officer can suggest different ways to improve your score that may help you qualify for a better interest rate. I have a few clients that have met with a trusted Loan Officer and are working to improve their credit in order to purchase their first home; some of my clients are 6 months to a year from buying a home - but know what they need to do to reach their goal. It is important to know your FICO score and to ensure that your credit history is correct. A good way to protect yourself from identity theft is to check your credit reports on a regular basis and notify the credit bureau(s) if you find any incorrect information. Conveniently, Fair Isaac has created a web site (www.myFICO.com) that let's you do just that. For a reasonable fee, you can quickly get your FICO score from all three reporting agencies, along with your credit report. Also available is some helpful information and tools that help you analyze what actions might have the greatest impact on your FICO score. Each of the credit services offers similar services on their web sites: www.equifax.com, www.experian.com, and www.transunion.com.

Armed with this information, you will be a more informed consumer and better positioned to obtain the most favorable mortgage available to you.

If you are considering purchasing a home in the Butler County, Ohio area, and need assistance, do not hesitate to call me at (513) 238-8809 or email me at myrealtor@cinci.rr.com.